Hi, welcome to this story! When I'm adding in this little author's note, I had written the first three chapters a year before the rest of them and was just getting started with writing. So obviously the writing in these first three chapters isn't too great. Please don't be discouraged, I promise it gets better starting at chapter 4. Also, when I finish this whole story, I'll come back and edit these chapters so they have the same quality of writing as the rest of them. I hope you enjoy reading my story :)

Chapter 1: Reaping Day

Haymitch Abernathy

"Haymitch! Haymitch, wake up!" I groan trying to shield the sun from my eyes. "It's reaping day, we have to get ready!" My eyes snap open. Standing in front of me is my little brother Hayden who is shaking me like a rag doll. "Come on."

"Ugh, fine," I grumble and roll out of bed. Hayden grins and drags me to the kitchen.

The first thing I notice is the luxurious breakfast my mom has prepared. A fresh egg with berries. I haven't had fresh meat for at least six months. We usually don't even have breakfast, because we can't afford it. But then I remember the date, today is reaping day. My mom always makes great meals for the reaping just in case the unthinkable happens. "Thanks mom," I say and dig in.

It's the best food I've had in months. That's what I hate about living in the Seam, everyone is poor and there is never enough food to go around. What I hate more is the Capitol, how they're rich and let everyone else starve. Well not everyone, as the career districts get lots of food. More than we'll ever get anyway. I despise the Capitol but we aren't even allowed to have that opinion so I just keep it all to myself.

"You don't think we'll get reaped, do you?" Hayden is 13 and is horrified of the chance of getting reaped.

I can't help but roll my eyes. "You've got your name in there twice Hayden, just twice."

"Yeah but they're doing double the draws this time."

He sounds so nervous that I reach over and ruffle his hair. "You'll be fine, it's me you should worry about," I fake a laugh, "24 slips of paper in there with my name on it, just waiting to be called…"

"Haymitch! That's enough. You aren't going to get reaped!" Mom's voice is shrill and I know why. She hates it when I mention the chance of getting reaped. She likes to imagine that it could never happen to us. That it only happens to other people. But I don't think so, the whole idea of the Games is stupid. Like who watches kids killing other kids for entertainment. The whole thing makes me feel sick, so I deal with it the best way I know how, making jokes.

"I was just kidding mom," I say passing her my empty plate, "Can I go see Serena? We always wish each other good luck." Serena is my best friend in the world. My girlfriend actually. She is anything I could ever dream for. We were practically made for each other. Serena, mom and Hayden are my most favourite people in the world.

"Of course, you can go just meet us at the reaping alright?" Mom adores Serena, she treats her like family.

"Thanks," I get up and hug her. Usually I'm not a hugging kind of person but the reaping brings out something in me. Something scared and worried but angry and aggressive too. Something I don't particularly like. But since I hugged mom I reach over and hug Hayden too. Then I walk out the door.

Maysilee Donner

"Maysilee aren't you nervous?" Maylene asks me, worry etched all over her face. Maylene is my twin sister and the reaping is the only thing on her mind.

"Of course, I am but we only have our names in there four times each. That's nothing compared to other people." I feel bad saying this as my family is from the wealthier parts of District 12 and by wealthier, I mean we can actually afford to have 3 meals a day. People from the Seam hardly get anything which I think is so unfair. But complaining won't do anything so all I can do is keep my feelings to myself.

"Yeah I know but it could happen to anyone," she says twisting her hair around her finger, "What about everyone else?"

I smile sadly, "We can't worry about them May, we can only help ourselves." May is both of our nicknames. Maylene smiles and puts her arm around me.

"Hey guys." I look up and see Iris, who is both my friend and Maylene's. She and Maylene are my most favourite people on this whole entire planet.

"Hi." Maylene and I hug her. Us three are so close, we're practically triplets.

"How are my favourite twins doing." I smile. Both me and Maylene have got blonde hair and blue eyes. We are both smart and like to sing but are similarities stop there. Maylene is popular and loud where I'm quiet and sweet. Boys can never stop hurtling themselves at her feet and she already has a boyfriend. A boy named Conner Undersee. Iris has a boyfriend too, a boy from the Seam named Ash, Ash Everdeen. Having a boyfriend from the Seam when you are a merchant's daughter is frowned upon so only me and Maylene know about her secret relationship.

"I'm so scared for the reaping." Maylene says.

Iris smiles sadly, "You say that every year May, and none of us have ever gotten reaped."

"I know but they are doing twice the draws this year."

"It's not going to be us," I say not believing it, "There will be thousands of slips in that bowl. It's not going to be us." I find the need to say it twice in hopes that I might believe it. But I don't because it can be anyone and I can't bear the thought of Maylene or Iris going into the Games. I hate the Capitol for inventing something so utterly useless. I sigh, "The Games are so dumb."

"Maysilee," Iris's voice is stern, "You know we aren't allowed to talk like that. I roll my eyes. Another thing the Capitol ensures, no talking bad about the Games. Instead all 12 districts are forced to pretend like the Games is this amazing thing to be celebrated when it's really not.

"I know, but I just can't help it. We should get going," I say glancing at our old grandfather clock, "We don't want to be late again." Last year we were a couple of minutes late to the reaping because we had lost track of time. It probably didn't help the merchant section of District 12 was the furthest from the square. The peacekeepers were not very happy with us to say the least and I defiantly don't want to go through that experience for a second time.

"True," says Maylene who is positively shaking, "Let's go."

We all put our arms around one another and set off towards the square.

Haymitch Abernathy

I had high hopes that the long walk over to the other side of the Seam would clear my head, but no luck there. All I see are more and more kids passing by me who I can't help but think might end up going to the Games. After wandering around for a good five minutes, I walk up to Serena's aunt's house. Even a year after her parents died and she had to move in with her aunt and two cousins, I know she still wishes she could live in her old house. I make to knock on the door but Serena pulls it open before I even have the chance.

"Haymitch," she says anxiety written all over her face, "Come in."

"You're not worried, are you?" I ask Serena as I step inside her house.

"Of course, I am," she says.

"Don't worry," I say, "The odds are ever in your favour." I joke trying to lighten the mood but it has the opposite effect.

"Haymitch," she cries flinging herself onto me, "You've got your name in there twenty-four times!"

"How many do you have again?" I ask frowning at her, "Eighteen?"

"Yeah," she sniffles letting go of me, "What if it's one of us."

"We'll be okay," I say strongly, "It's going to be alright."

Once Serena's calmed down, we sit and talk like we always do. Today we talk about the Capitol and everything we hate about it. I'm only ever really myself when I'm around her.

"Here," she says handing me a platter full of cheese, "I made them myself."

I grab one and take a huge bite. "It's delicious," I say and pull her in for a kiss. She kisses me back strongly and I hold her close.

"I just can't help but think it'll be one of us," she whispers, her voice muffled against my shirt, "There's double the chance of getting in this time."

I pull her in close, "I won't let anything happen to you." I promise, knowing very well that it won't mean anything in the square.